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Why Tweed Heads is a great place to call home after 50
That big sigh as you roll into Tweed Heads? That's your stress melting away. Sitting on the picturesque Tweed River, Tweed Heads straddles the New South Wales/Queensland border with its twin town, Coolangatta. The first thing you'll notice about this beautiful region? The wonderfully gentle pace of life.
However, slower pace doesn’t mean fewer facilities. There is something for everyone: If the clubs are your scene, you won’t be disappointed. If nature does it for you, Tweed Heads and the Tweed Valley region have it and more. Into sport? There is all manner of sporting clubs. And the beaches? We have plenty to suit everyone from surfers, fishers, families and water sports enthusiasts. Our pristine rivers and estuaries are perfect for boating and exploring. Restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions abound, a benefit of being a favoured tourist destination.
And let me tell you about the convenience. Forget the parking woes of big cities and the Gold Coast – you can always find a park in Tweed. With the population skewed to folk over 50 years at 55% of the town’s populationi, Tweed Shire Council caters to this age group running events like New South Wales Seniors Festival from Monday 2nd to Sunday 15th March each year. The largest celebration of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the program includes creative workshops, cultural experiences, social gatherings, technology sessions, and physical/mental wellbeing activities.
Staying active around Tweed Heads
If you’re new to the Tweed, why not take a stroll around our suburb to orient yourself. Perhaps begin with a walk through the park to Jack Evans Boat Harbour. You’ll catch locals enjoying an early morning swim across the calm water or enjoying a coffee at tables placed along the boardwalk. Continue south down the Tweed River foreshore pathway and watch the trawlers returning with their catches of fresh seafood. Water dragons dart across the path or watch with wary eyes as you pass. You may see rowers carving the water up in perfect synchrony or kayakers paddling closer to the banks. You may even be lucky enough to see sting rays jump or dolphins curving through the water in the river beside you.
Just south of central Tweed Heads you will find every low impact activity you can think of at lawn bowls clubs, golf clubs, croquet clubs and indoor /outdoor aquatic centres where activities include aqua aerobics classes for all levels. Local community groups like U3A and Senior Citizens hold classes for yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and the like. There are also classes for those inclined to learning Bridge or pursuing the arts and crafts or music. Other interests are catered for as well, like gardening clubs and orchestral concerts and plays at the Tweed Community centre. Author talks are regularly held at the Tweed Richmond Library right next door. For the more strenuous the Tweed Rowing Club sits right on the bank of the river just over the bridge and welcomes new members. Of course, a deeper dive into what’s available is sure to reveal community groups for whatever your interests might be.
Eating out and socialising with confidence
Whether you’re looking for a sensational cup of coffee or a trendy cold brew with your pastry, the Tweed has something to suit everyone in our vibrant café scene. The Bay Street precinct offers some great options, but locals have their favourite haunts in surrounding streets as well. Venturing further into the Tweed Valley region you will find quirky village cafes, farmers markets and art galleries like the Tweed Regional Art Gallery, with its Margaret Olley collection and café with a view.
If restaurant dining appeals, there is a selection of great club dining at the Twin Town Services Club or Tweed Heads Bowls club. A wide range of cuisines are also available in individual eating houses around town.
Tweed Valley is famous for its wonderful availability of fresh produce: locally grown vegetables, bananas, avocados, mangoes, macadamias and pecans, among them, as well as freshly caught seafood, eggs and dairy products. Farmers markets cater for fresh produce lovers while local food festivals include premier events like
- Savour The Tweed(Oct 22–26, 2025), showcasing local produce, chefs, and distillers
- Taste Tweed festival taking place over ten days in July
- Tweed Valley Banana Festival
- Tweed Street Feast showcasing local food trucks
- Chinderah Chilli Festival
One of the great joys of the over-50s lifestyle is staying social—and food is such a big part of that. As we age, it's worth keeping on top of our oral health so we can continue enjoying the foods we love. Whether that means regular dental visits or making sure dentures fit comfortably, it's all about keeping you at the table with friends and family.
Looking after your health in Tweed Heads
Tweed residents are well cared for health-wise. Our new, state of the art Tweed Valley Hospital in Cudgen is a major referral and teaching hospital located in the heart of the Tweed-Byron region. TVH offers a wide range of inpatient, day only and outpatient services, including emergency, trauma and critical care, surgical services, cancer services, women’s care and newborn services, pediatric services, renal unit, intensive care, cardiac catheter laboratory and mental health inpatient facilities.
In addition, many experienced general practitioners, medical specialists, dentists, and dental prosthetists call the Tweed and surrounding area home. This is reassuring news for people thinking of relocating to Tweed Heads.
Tweed Heads' community spirit extends to healthcare, with dedicated health professionals who've served residents for decades; many raising their families here while caring for the community. Given that the Tweed population is largely in the over-50s category, this is particularly important.
Why oral health (and dentures) matter more as we get older
For those seeking denture care in Tweed Heads be reassured, you are not venturing into the ‘denture-care wilderness’. Easy access to the right denture clinic and prosthetist for denture wearers is essential to your continuing good health and enjoyment of latter years. Having the support and expertise of a caring prosthetist can make all the difference to being able to enjoy your food, stay well-nourished and comfortable – not to mention preserving your smile.
Be sure to:
- Seek out and establish a relationship with a denture clinic before you need them
- Have regular denture check-ups – free consultations are offered by some clinics
- Maintain a good oral hygiene regime
- Address problems like loose dentures and sore spots before they become a much bigger, more expensive issue
Feeling confident in your smile after 50
Wearing dentures needn’t prevent you from enjoying life. Perhaps you put up with missing teeth, smiling tight-lipped into the camera because of embarrassment. Or maybe you avoid eating out for fear loose dentures will let you down. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic has been part of the Tweed Heads community since 1972. This family-run clinic offers everything from new full or partial dentures to same day denture repairs and relines. If you'd like to learn more about their services and pricing, visit their website or drop in for a chat.
Practical tips for over 50s in Tweed Heads
Planning ahead helps you maintain your health and wellbeing. Whether you are a new resident or someone who has lived in the Tweed all your life the following tips can help:
- Keep a list of all your health professionals handy with their contact details
- Plan regular check-ups with your prosthetist, optometrist, podiatrist and GP, and record them in your calendar
- Make time for hygiene routines like daily denture and oral care
- Take advantage of our beautiful weather and the scenic region to be active and social
Where to get help with dentures in Tweed Heads
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is the longest established denture clinic in Tweed Heads.
Centrally located at 48a Wharf St, just south of the Tweed Mall and main bus stop, Northern Rivers Denture Clinic has wheelchair access and easy parking right out front.
We offer free, without obligation, 30-minute consultations.
Give us a call: (07) 5536 4241 or book online.
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
